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by Michael Matthews
The Chinese philosopher Confucius said long ago that "Music produces a kind
of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." Playing a musical
instrument has many benefits and can bring joy to you and to everyone
around you. This article will provide you with 18 benefits of playing an
instrument (in no particular order) and will hopefully give you a better sense
of appreciation and pride for music.
(Source: http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/music-
education2#A1)
(Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-
news/6447588/Playing-a-musical-instrument-makes-you-brainier.html)
© EffectiveMusicTeaching.com
2. Refines your time management and organizational skills.
Learning how to play an instrument requires you to really learn how to be
organized and to manage your time wisely. A good musician knows that the
quality of practice time is more valuable than the quantity. In order for a
musician to progress quicker, he/she will learn how to organize his/her
practice time and plan different challenges to work on, making efficient use
of time.
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cognitive performance in reading skills compared with their non-musically
trained peers."
(Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075843.htm
)
It's not surprising to hear results like that because music involves constant
reading and comprehension. When you see black and white notes on a
page, you have to recognize what the note name is and translate it to a
finger/slide position. At the same time, you also have to read what rhythms
the notes are arranged in and force your tongue to produce the correct
pattern.
© EffectiveMusicTeaching.com
12. Creates a sense of achievement.
Overcoming musical challenges that you thought you'd never quite master
can give you a great sense of pride about yourself. When you first start
learning how to play an instrument, it seems like just holding out a note for
a couple beats or hitting a high pitch is an amazing accomplishment. As you
practice and become a more experienced musician, making beautiful
sounding music pleasing not only to your ear, but others as well is a very
rewarding experience.
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wonderful-sounding music. In order to play any piece of music correctly
when playing an instrument, you'll need to take huge breaths and learn how
to expel the air properly to make the desired sound. Breathing exercises are
highly recommended for musicians, and they can really strengthen your
respiratory system.
Conclusion
As you can see, playing a musical instrument has many benefits and
hopefully that will motivate you to keep on practicing and always hold music
in high esteem. Whenever you come across challenges as a musician, think
about the end results and always remind yourself of all the great reasons
you love to play. I'll leave you with an inspiring quote by jazz saxophonist
and composer Charlie Parker who once said, "Music is your own experience,
your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your
horn.”
© EffectiveMusicTeaching.com